When I found this pinstripe blazer at my local thrift store, I was at the end of my time on campus and ready to head out for my year-long research stint abroad. So this item that was meant to be a conference staple never got to live up to its destiny but it has surprisingly become a great alternate for the usual (rather predictable) cardigan paired with jeans.

I have paired the pinstripe blazer with jeans and dark cords; over a belted dress; with jean shorts (!); and, in an attempt to really dress it down, over a navy hoodie. Rolling and cuffing a blazer’s sleeves also makes for a more casual and every day effect, as does belting it,adding embellishments, or using it for some bold pattern mixing.

But when I looked at these photos of my past stylings of this item, I noticed that I was in somewhat of a neutrals rut. While I have been comfortable pairing the pinstripe jacket with all sorts of quotidian garments, I was clearly nursing some kind of phobia when it came to wearing it with color. So I challenged myself to change that for today and pulled out some bright pinks and fuchsias to go with the blazer, worn-in jeans, and ballet flats. And just in time for spring, right?

Do you own a pinstripe blazer and, if so, how do you find ways to incorporate it into everyday wear? S .